"...No, there is one way."
"Eh, really? What is it?"
I remembered the conversation I had with Ariga-san before amane's performance at the school festival.
"Sako's dad."
"Sakohasu Papa? Why?"
Don't say it like he's Moominpapa.
"Well... anyway, Sako's dad is apparently a music writer, and he seems to have a connection with Ariga-san. Actually, it seems Sako's dad was the one who interviewed amane."
"Eh, really!? You mean that article with the same pose as the photo from the Miss Contest!? The one where she gave that totally genius-like answer, 'I don't know because the song was finished before I even thought about making it,' when asked what she's careful about during songwriting!? The article that made me fall head over heels!?"
"I don't know if you fell head over heels, Azuma..."
Now that I think about it, amane-sama did give an answer like that... In contrast to Azuma, who was excited on the other end of the phone, I smiled bitterly thinking about how tough it must be to have your actual chuunibyou-era remarks recorded and published in the media.
"Wait? By the way, Azuma, did you not know about the connection between Sako's dad and Ariga-san?"
"We probably talked about that before the actual school festival performance, right? Wasn't that when I went to pick flowers?"
"Azuma, you went to pick flowers? Why?"
"After you hang up this phone, Google 'picking flowers'."
"Understood..."
I feel like I just got scolded for some reason...
"Well, anyway, if we can get Sako's dad to connect us, it might work out. ...But, what should I say to get him to connect us...?"
"That's true. We can't exactly have Sakohasu's dad tell her we want to consult about amane's future..."
"The only excuse I can think of for a middle or high school student to contact a working adult is something like workplace experience."
No, I know that's impossible too, but...
"What's workplace experience?"
"Eh, you don't know? Workplace experience. We did it in middle school. You go to a supermarket or Mac and do unpaid labor."
I was surprised that there was something I knew that Azuma didn't, and when I explained it to her, Azuma let out a cry of "Wow!"
"That's the thing I longed for! So public schools really do have that. I went to a private school, so we didn't have anything like that. I'm so jealous."
"What's there to be jealous of...?"
"Because, you can only do it when you're a middle schooler! It's youth!"
"Ah, I see."
I was impressed that anything becomes 'youth' when Azuma handles it.
"Hey, hey, what was it like?"
Perhaps her interest in 'youth' was too strong, because Azuma set aside the talk about meeting Ariga-san and asked me that. Hmmm, I tried to remember.
"Hmm. I had a part-time job serving customers at a local cafe-like place, and the... well, the girl who did the workplace experience with me was incredibly expressionless. Every time, the manager would say in exasperation, 'Hey, kid, can't you smile? This is the service industry,' and she would just repeat, 'No, I intend to be smiling very much.' I only remember being on edge next to her."
"...I'm so jealous."
"Um, were you listening to my story?"
After saying "I'm so jealous" with a tone somewhat different from before, Azuma cleared her throat and got back on track.
"For now, putting aside the story of Black-haired Hasu, let's talk about the excuse."
"I was keeping the name hidden for the sake of her honor, though..."
Also, Azuma was the one who started that topic...
"Workplace experience reminded me, but it seems there's something called an OB visit? Or in this case, an OG visit? My older brother did that when he was job hunting."
"What's that?"
"I think it's like asking people at a company you want to go to in the future about their work... Can't we go with something like that? It's not a lie that we're actually interested."
"I get it, let's try going with that line... Well, in any case, I have to contact Sako..."
The moment I said that.
"What about me?"
I heard a low-toned voice from behind me.
"Whoa!?"
"Hyah!?"
When I turned around, Blonde Hasu was standing there.
"Wait, Konuma, I always tell you not to shout suddenly... What's up? What happened?"
"No, Sako is at my house... Sako, why are you here all of a sudden?"
I mean, haven't you been coming to my house too much lately?
"Is Sakohasu there? Sakohasu in Konuma Room?"
I don't really understand what Azuma is saying either.
"I came to borrow a manga from Yuzu. Look, that one, because the girl from the Photo Club recommended it. It's a childhood friend story, a childhood friend story."
"O-Oh..."
Why did you say it twice...?
"Who are you talking to?"
Sako said, pointing at my smartphone.
"It's Azuma..."
"Why?"
Sako wrinkled her brow.
"As for why... well, this is perfect timing. Wait a second."
After saying that to Sako, I spoke into the phone.
"Azuma, it's okay if I tell Sako about what we were just talking about, right?"
"Y-Yeah. Well, the fact that you're asking me that means you've basically already told her..."
Leaving aside Azuma-neesan, who was still flustered on the other end of the phone, I explained the situation to Sako.
"Hmm, well, I can try asking Papa, but it might be more likely he'll help if we say Takuto requested it."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, Papa thinks of Takuto as a savior."
Sako nodded slightly.
"Why?"
"There was that thing at the fireworks festival, right? When I was lost. He still says sometimes, 'I wonder what would have happened if Takuto hadn't been there.'"
"Ah, I see... He's still saying things like that?"
I had forgotten about it; I didn't even know that Pikachu was Sako back then...
"It's not 'things like that'. Anyway, I'll ask when I get home. I'll contact you again."
"Thanks. Is it okay if I don't walk you home today?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
It seems Sako-chan really just came to borrow manga today.
"Sako-chan, see ya~"
"Mm. Thanks for the manga."
Sako left the room, and then I heard Yuzu's voice from the entrance.
"Hello, Azuma? Could you hear us?"
"Yeah. Thank you..."
"So that's how it is. I think Sako will contact us later."
"Understood. ...By the way, do you and Sakohasu always go back and forth between each other's houses like that? And do you always walk Sakohasu home?"
A suspicious voice.
"No, things only became so 'childhood friend-like' very recently. Even I'm surprised."
"It's recent, huh? Sakohasu is quite a player too..."
What exactly is Sakohasu playing at...?
"Well, it's not like I have the right to say anything... Anyway, based on what you said, that means Konuma will come with me when I meet Ariga-san, right?"
"Well, I guess so..."
I'm not looking forward to it, though... Meeting a stranger is bad enough, but to have that person be an adult.
"It was a stroke of luck. I wanted Konuma to come along too, but I couldn't think of an excuse to ask you."
"So I was scheduled to be dragged along either way? Then I guess I saved myself the trouble of putting up a useless resistance."
I gave a wry smile.
"Hm? I said I couldn't think of an excuse, didn't I?"
"No, I probably wouldn't be able to refuse Azuma's request anyway..."
I don't have the conversation skills for that...
"Heh..."
"Hm?"
I spoke into the phone, which had suddenly gone quiet.
"No, I was just thinking about how I should use you from now on!"
From my ear, I could hear Azuma-neesan's voice, bouncing with joy.